Acts Message 16

Issues arise as a church grows

Acts 6:1–7 NKJV

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Intro: We want church growth. But when churches grow, problem grow. There different reasons why. Sometimes people lose power when a church grow. It may be families.

Some to just be us, our church. (Us 4 and no more)

When churches grow, things change.

When a church grows, I when I mean grows I’m talking about growing because People are being saved, problems will arise.

Some will come to help, others will come to hinder.

The church was growing. Last week we looked at the Apostles and their obedience to God. The was growing at at fast pace because people were being saved.

Complaining. VS 1

Acts 6:1 (NKJV)

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

The New Testament: An Expanded Translation (Chapter 6)

And in these days when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a low, undertone murmuring of the Hellenists who were conferring together, secretly complaining against the Hebrews, the complaint being that their widows were being neglected in the daily provision of food.

Satan had tried over and over to stop the Christians. They were threatened, thrown in jail, beaten.

Now Satan will try to disrupt the church from within. By some complaining. (Can you believe there was complaining in the church)

People complain because the preached to long. The preacher didn’t preach long enough.

Cold/Hot

Here in Jerusalem the church was growing.

Acts 2:41 (NKJV)

41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

Acts 2:47 (NKJV)

47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Acts 4:4 NKJV

4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Acts 5:14 NKJV

14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

Acts 5:42 (NKJV)

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

They preached Jesus. Jesus is the light of the world. What do flies attract? Bugs.

The more a church grows, more problems will arise. It seems that the bigger churches have the most problems.

Everything was going great within the church until Annias and Sapphira lies t God.

Now its complaining, disruption of unity.

there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

Hellenists: KJV “Grecians”

Hebrews: Jews who were more inclined to embrace Jewish culture they came from Judah.

the Hellenists were Jews that came from a Greek culture background who spoke Greek and came from all other areas.

So these two groups didn’t always get along. Imagine that people in church not getting along.

They were complaining because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution, this caused tension had come into the church.

The first church had great concern and and compassion for the poor.

Men like Barnabas often sold land donated to help care for the poor.

Widows made up a fairly large segment of the poor. The daily distribution of charity was in the hands of the Hebrew believers. The Hellenist believers, rightly or wrongly, believed the i that there was discrimination against their widows.

Widows had no money. No food stamps, no sitmulis checks. If she had kids, there was even more of need.

Widow and Elijah.

Daily they would take care of widows. This was done in the Jewish culture, and it was continuing in the church. It could the Jews were no longer giving to the widows who were now follows of Jesus.

The Hellenists thought that their widows were being negated. This caused tension in the church.

Tension developed and came to a head. Satan’s goal was to divide the membership and discourage the leadership, but he was to be foiled by the spirit of wisdom in the apostles.

The tension was between the Hebrews an d the Hellenists.

There is a problem, and the problem needs to be dealt with.

Prayer and God’s word. VS 2-4

Acts 6:2–4 NKJV

2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Acts 6:2 (NKJV)

2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.

The New Testament: An Expanded Translation (Chapter 6)

Then the Twelve, having called to themselves the entire number of the disciples, said, It is not fitting that we should neglect the word of God, to be occupied with the distribution of food.

The Apostles use Godly wisdom here. The the problem is not dealt with, it would just get worse.

Up to this point the Apostles were doing it all. Preaching the word, and taking care of the daily task of the widows.

Their question was, do we really need to spend less time preaching God’s who the serve tables. (Table is where the food and money would be given out to the widows.)

First of all, the Apostles were not looking themselves as being us high and mighty that it was below them to serve the widows.

They were showing how important preaching God’s word was. So they delegate the work.

There are some who think the pastor should do everything. (Not saying here at PGBC)

Pastors should be willing to help out in other areas when needed. There are some who think it is beneath them to do some task in the church.

God call people to do the work in the church.

Home School library.

Other areas in the church.

The most important thing for the pastor to do is preach the word, and pray.

The delegation.

Acts 6:3 NKJV

3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

Notice, the Apostles didn’t pick them out, the people did.

It was not, 7 men who have given the most money.

7 men who are well know in the community.

Not 7 men of good reputation. (Someone who you could speak well of)

Not someone with a bad temper, or someone mean. Or treated other unfair.

They needed 7 men they could trust.

Full of the Holy Spirit. (Controlled by the Spirit)

Every believer has the Holy Spirit, but not all are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Full if wisdom: God’s wisdom.

It’s important to have spiritual wise leadership.

Proverbs 9:10 NKJV

10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

How can you pray for me? That God will give me wisdom.

2 qualification for these 7 men. Full of the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdim.

Whom we may appoint over this business.

This is not a message about deacons.

Deacon; Diakonos die-ek-o-nos.

Servant.

When it comes to the work of the church. From a greeter, youth, children, music, Sr adults. It has to be someone who loves the Lord, someone who is full of the Holy Spirit. Someone full of Godly wisdom.

Acts 6:4 (NKJV)

4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

The New Testament: An Expanded Translation (Chapter 6)

But as for us, to prayer and the ministry of the Word we shall give constant attention

The Apostles were saying, find 7 men to take care of the widows so we can give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.

Prayer first.

The Apostles know how important preaching words was. But also prayer.

“but we will give ourselves continually to prayer”

Wuest: But as for us, to prayer and the ministry of the Word we shall give constant attention

Prayer for all of us needs to be a top priority (constant attention)

Without prayer there is no power in the preaching of God’s word.

Before I study, Prayer. While I study, Prayer. Before I preach, Prayer.

We need to remember the reason for the church.

1. Win the lost to Jesus.

2. Make disciples. (To help people grow in their faith)

How is this done? Through the word of God.

The Apostles are saying, we don’t want to stop preaching, stop teaching to take care of the widows.

Too many churches today have abandon preaching the word, and are preaching a social gospel.

It’s all about feeding the poor, the homeless, taking care of their needs.

This is a good thing, but, you can feed them, and cloche them, but if they die without Jesus, they go to hell.

Elab mission trip, did home repairs, but did not share the gospel.

Pastor is to preach the word, see the lost saves, and the believers to grow.

“Feed my sheep” Not entertain my sheep. But feed my sheep.

What is used to sheep the sheep? Gods word.

Pastors are to never computerize prayer and Gods word.

Seven chosen VS 5-7

Acts 6:5–7 (NKJV)

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

“And the saying pleased the whole multitude”

Unity.

The apostles were making some making adjustments.

The people also had to make changes. They had to welcome the new leadership born out of the apostles’ decision.

Doing so showed flexibility and understanding. The proposal for seven delegates to do widow-work “pleased the whole company” (v. 5). This is remarkable!

People were actually pleased with change. Let’s learn from this group.

At times, in certain seasons, changes are required for the good of others and for the advancement of the kingdom.

Seven chosen and brought before the Apostles.

Their names given.

One was a Gentile. Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

VS 6. Prayed over them.

Laid hands on them. This was showing approval, a sign of unity. giving their blessing.

Acts 6:7 (NKJV)

7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

As a church grows there may be certain people that some may welcome in their church.

They made prayer and the preaching of the word top priority. And the church grew.

They made changes and the church grew.

Here is a summery from Luke.

1. God’s word increased.

2. Number of disciples (followers of Jesus) multiplied.

3. and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. (This was a great thing here)

Satan tried to stop or at least hinder the growth of the church, but it continued to grow.